Will DeLay's departure from Congress now allow the party to begin a much needed reform movement, or have his tactics become too ingrained? Will the party be reaching out to those of us who have left in disgust? Is the breath of fresh air this morning going to have any lasting effect?

Enquiring minds want to know.

http://images.art.com/images/products/regular/11749000/11749619.jpg

The tactics are ingrained, but political necessity requires the Republicans to eschew them, to paint themselves as "reformers," and to show themselves as passing new laws as if the old laws were the problem, instead of just following those laws. Anything new will be targeted specifically to hit the Dems in the pocketbook (I think there is already a measure against 527s out there).

With various trials in motion or set to begin prior to November, and with Bush's approval ratings as low as they are, the Republicans are scrambling to shore up support. Expect more "gay marriage is worse than terrorism" and "liberals hate Christians" rhetoric and other forms of the Fear card to sweep the airwaves. Despite the vulnerability of the Republicans, one can always trust the Dems to pull defeat from the jaws of victory. They'll gain seats, but taking control of one or both Houses is still a long shot.

I'm going to go out a limb here and say that someone on this board will reply to this thread and say something like "That's right the Dems don't have corruption or scandels either" or something about Ted.

Too little too late as far as I'm concerned, he should have dropped out and stepped sooner it would have looked better IMO. I'm curious how this is going to spin in the coming weeks though I'm sure what Thor just outlined is probably what will happen.

I really think the Republican party is hurting in general. While both main parties have a lot of "scandels" going on, the Republican ones are the ones making the news, even the more conservative media can't ignore the obvious.

I agree with Fildian think they will definately start some anti-gay, pro- christian "propaganda."

Thing that cracks me up is i am a Christian who leans liberal....ohh emm gee :)

You know, Democrats have scandals too.....

Sorry Fild, I had to go there :P

It's ok Sixee you're the one I was aiming that at b/c you've said that oh half a dozen times in the last two weeks at least ;)

Well, Hey, just because I say it, doesn't mean it isn't true.

Oh, Yeah!

Chappaquittic!!!!!

ya know, teddy seems like the kinda guy who'd be a blast down at the ol'pub.;)

and as far as the chappawhatever thingy, it's jealousy really if i was married to what seems to be the average republican woman today ( fat, ugly, celibate bulldykes) i'd be searching for a way to off the bitch and move on to a hot college age liberal cutie too!:D

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ted_Kennedy#Chappaquiddick
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Jo_Kopechne


He wasn't married to the woman that died.

This morning on the Today show, Pat Buchanan being interviewed by matt lauer states that Tom Delay was the poster boy for the culture of corruption in Washington and it is good to have him gone for the best interests of the republican party.

Can ya feel the luv?

He knew how to be a majority leader, dammit. It’s about taking the R.J. Reynolds corporate jet to your arraignment and not giving a shit, not being famous for your goddamn tan like some dimestore George Hamilton. It’s about multiple admonishments from the House ethics committee, comparing yourself to Jesus, flashing a shit-eating grin in your mugshot, money-laundering, calling for violent retribution against activist judges, and contacting six federal agencies to trail Texas Democrats!


Asked if he had done anything illegal or unethical in public office, DeLay replied curtly, “No.” Asked if he’d done anything immoral, he said with a laugh, “We’re all sinners.”

This morning on the Today show, Pat Buchanan being interviewed by matt lauer states that Tom Delay was the poster boy for the culture of corruption in Washington and it is good to have him gone for the best interests of the republican party.

Can ya feel the luv?

I caught that tidbit while I was eating my poptarts and watching a snow squall fly by. Yes snow in April /shudder. Anyway didn't the intro say something like 90% of the Republican party's issues are well .... George Bush? Well ok, they didn't word it that way but it sure sounded that way. :)

The real fun in all this is watching the enthusiastic support DeLay still nets from those he's played. His martyr speech about not wanting to engage in an election where people might be mean to him...his re-election run that was clearly just a means to raise money for his defense fund...yet he still garners support from so many, even (or perhaps especially) evangelicals. Peter Popoff and Benny Hinn could learn a thing or two.

But Democrats have had scandals too....
And Ted <hick> Kennedy, along with Chappaquiddick....
Bill gettin a BJ from an intern(s).
I'm sure Hillary has done something too....
Aww, heck, it's way more fun to go after already wounded prey.
SOMEBODY SHOOT DELAY!!!!!

But isn't the nature of the political world CYA (Cover Your Ass). And if they can find a fall guy to throw under the bus I'm sure they will if it will mean they come out smelling like roses.

I caught that tidbit while I was eating my poptarts and watching a snow squall fly by. Yes snow in April /shudder. Anyway didn't the intro say something like 90% of the Republican party's issues are well .... George Bush? Well ok, they didn't word it that way but it sure sounded that way. :)

Actually, I thought they said that 90% of the Republican party problems were Iraq related, which you can equate to meaning Bush policies, I guess.

But isn't the nature of the political world CYA (Cover Your Ass). And if they can find a fall guy to throw under the bus I'm sure they will if it will mean they come out smelling like roses.

The problem with DeLay is that he made so many enemies with his steamroller tactics, and attempts to bully people into being his ally or his enemy. DeLay did not attempt to play the role of the Wizard behind the curtain; he was blatantly out front giving commands and threatening to bring down rain and lightening on those who did not bend to his will. That does not earn you a lot of supporters, when they see a chance to bring you down and put someone more easily worked with into your position.

Actually, I thought they said that 90% of the Republican party problems were Iraq related, which you can equate to meaning Bush policies, I guess.

Yes, I was being snide.